THE EDITOR, Sir:
MONDAY'S editorial entitled 'Enerygy conservation vital' got me thinking, as it appears that some UNDP funding is going to be used for research work on a Green Paper on energy conservation.
I would like to suggest that serious attention be paid towards the importation of hybrid motor vehicles.
COMBINING POWER SOURCES
Basically, there are two types of hybrid vehicles, and it is simply the way in which the two power sources a gasoline engine and electric motor are coupled together.
In the parallel hybrid vehicle, both the gasoline-powered engine and the electrically-driven motor are connected to the transmission independently, so that either one or the other, or both may power the transmission at any given time.
In the series hybrid, the gasoline-powered engine turns a generator, which can either charge the batteries or power an electric motor, so the gasoline engine never directly powers the transmission.
Basically, one desires a car or SUV that will drive at least 500 km (300 miles) between re-fuelling; can be re-fuelled quickly and easily; accelerates readily and has a reasonable cruising speed.
A gasoline engine can easily meet these requirements, but the downside is pollution and poor mileage.
The electrically-driven vehicle usually has nil pollution, but can only travel 80 to 160 km (50 to 100 miles) between charges.
The hybrid, on the other hand, meets all three criteria and gives very good fuel efficiency, between 40 and 60 mpg and much less pollution.
These are not 'pipe dreams', as over 100,000 hybrids have been sold in the United States alone over the last four years. Several cars are available in hybrid form Honda Civic, Honda Insight and Toyota Prius.
Some SUVs that are also available are the Dodge Ram and Ford Escape.
REDUCE FUEL BILL
If we really want to reduce our fuel bill and pollution levels in Jamaica, then we should try and encourage the public and private sector to purchase hybrid vehicles.
The best way to dog this would be to allow all hybrid vehicles into the island for a nominal 20 per cent duty.
The general public would then be better able to afford a new and efficient automobile and the Jamaican fuel bill would be reduced over time.
I am, etc.,
GORDON LAWRENCE
glawrence@cwjamaica.com
P.O. Box 409, Kingston 6
Via Go-Jamaica
